EU should not pressure Western Balkans to choose between EU, Russia: Russian official

ZAGREB, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexey Meshkov said in Dubrovnik on Saturday the European Union (EU) should not use Western Balkan countries' desire of joining the bloc to force them to choose between Europe and Russia.

Meshkov said at the 9th Croatia forum held in Croatian southern coast city Dubrovnik that the Western Balkan countries should not be asked to choose between Europe and Russia, the Croatian News Agency Hina reported.

The integration of the Western Balkans should not create a new demarcation line in Europe, he added.

Regarding the situation in Ukraine, he said the EU should not pressure the countries in the region into joining the sanctions against Russia.

Meshkov said the EU integration of the countries in the region is a good thing, but the situation in some countries is unstable or unpredictable.

Croatia forum, started on Thursday, was attended by 18 foreign ministers from the EU and Southeast European countries, as well as representatives of the United States, China, Japan, Russia and New Zealand.